The popularity of feeding real food to our furry family members is growing rapidly, which is a wonderful step forward in animal care. As pet owners learn that real food is superior to commercial kibble, they are more willing to add fresh whole food to their dogs' diets. This results in dogs getting whole food nutrition and people are often substituting poor quality "junk" treats for healthy fruits and vegetables.

The following list of vegetables are safe and healthy for your dog! While dogs do not need vegetables in their diet to survive, and don't receive a lot of nutrition from vegetables, they can make a great snack. Cooking (boiling, steaming or baking) or making a vegetable puree is the only way our dogs can derive good levels of nutrition from vegetables. Since dogs are carnivores and do not have the proper enzymes to digest vegetables, cooking or chopping them very finely helps "pre-digest" the vegetable matter for them so that nutrients are unleashed in the digestive tract and absorbed into the body easily.

Sweet Potato Sweet potato is a highly nutritious vegetable full of beta carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E. This vegetable is best boiled and mashed or cut into chunks. Sweet potato is ideal in sick or bland diets to help bulk up food, add fiber and soothe the digestive system.

CarrotsRaw or boiled, carrots are an excellent snack rich in beta carotene, carotenoids and vitamin A. When raw, they can help clean the teeth by acting as a crunchy chew for dogs to gnaw on. Whether or not they are raw or boiled, they are well known for improving red pigments in the fur!

Green BeansFull of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, the B vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium and calcium - green beans are a super healthy snack. Crunchy when raw and excellent for bulking up food, green beans are safe and healthy for dogs! Green beans can be added to a dogs diet if they are notorious for always being hungry!

PumpkinFamous for being a digestive aid, pumpkin is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and can both aid constipation and help firm up diarrhea. This vegetables is perfect for soothing an upset stomach! Pumpkin can be used to improve red pigment in a dogs coat.

Zucchini Best fed cooked, zucchini is full of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin B-6. Zucchini is also low in calories. Zucchini is extremely popular in homemade dog food recipes for it's B vitamins and fiber!

CucumberCucumber is a refreshing, healthy and crunchy vegetable dogs love! This is a great low calorie, low sugar option for dogs. Cut into thick slices and freeze for a hydrating snack in the hot months!

BroccoliLoaded with vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium and vitamin B-6. Broccoli is fantastic steamed, baked or boiled, can be served cooked in the food bowl or given as a crunchy snack.

Cauliflower Cauliflower can be fed just like broccoli, best steamed or boiled but it also makes a good crunchy snack. Cauliflower is full of fiber, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B-6, calcium, magnesium and iron.

CeleryCelery is ideal for dogs who need a healthy, very low calorie and low sugar treat. Crunchy and delicious with a high water content, this is a perfect treat for dogs! While it is not as nutrient dense as other vegetables, celery is a great source of potassium and fiber.

If you are interested in switching your dogs to a more whole food, natural diet consider learning about a raw food diet or a homemade diet.

I was curious about Kale -- my sons make home made shakes that contain Kale -- and one my youngest son actually eats the stalks as a snack like celery.. but he gave one to my GSD before I could tell him not to because I was not sure if it was ok for her to eat. She loved it and wanted more. But again, I cannot find any reference about if it is ok for dogs to eat.

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rita

8/8/2013 10:45:07 am

I have never read or been told about the benefits of kale for dogs. However; I have had dogs who eat it right out of the garden & they have had no problems. The first time we noticed this was 7 yrs ago, so we should have noticed any problems by now. They also eat strawberries, asparagus, & tomatoes direct from the garden.

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Patti

4/23/2015 10:38:01 pm

My dog loves tomatoes too! She takes them right off the plant.

jaylynn

4/29/2015 12:06:41 am

I have heard for years tomatoes are bad for them?? Also that they are not suppose to have asparagus out the garden which I found odd considering that they can eat it raw.

I give my dog kale and have for awhile now. I purchase my raw diet from a provider in the foothills of central CA. She puts kale in the dog food (all vegi's are organic when possible). My dog is 2 years old and is doing great!

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Wendy

7/30/2013 03:41:17 am

Thanks Dee! -- That is good to know about the Kale. I am trying to keep her diet as natural as possible aside from a raw diet. We are working on getting rid of a nasty hotspot. She loves fruits (except not raisins or grapes of course), and veggies -- I dry banannas or apples and cut them into smaller pieces to use as training treats whenever possible. Or her and I will just enjoy a fresh apple or bananna together! I know that the Kale is organic as he buys it from a local farmers market. :-).. so I will add this to her list of approved snacks.

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Judy mirk

3/5/2015 06:32:33 am

Give your pup fish oil pill they should help my little one gets bad allergies in spring an was raw from scratching give one a day as treat see if helps it did her good luck just another dog lover

Gail Payne

8/8/2013 09:29:41 am

Please tell me who your raw food provider is. Thank You!

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Penny Gray

8/8/2013 09:26:47 am

I am puzzled about the need for cooking! Steaming perhaps but surely puréed raw is best like they would eat in the wild. I have learnt more vegetables though from your article. Thank you.

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Marie Mullett

9/4/2013 01:16:24 am

I am wondering too about the need to cook these vegetables? I blend vegetables raw to add to my basset hounds raw meat. Hadnt used cucumber before so must add that occasionally to the shopping list. :) I love reading K9 Instinct articles.

Dogs cannot easily digest raw vegetables, as their digestive system is designed to consume and digest raw meat, bone and organ. Steaming, baking, boiling or pureeing veggies helps to "break down" the vegetable matter and "pre digest" it so that dogs can readily absorb whatever nutrients are present. If you simply feed them raw whole veggies, they will simply come out as they went in.

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Elsie

9/27/2014 08:44:42 am

How about frozen peas or corn (kernels)? Is it okay to give?

Rhonda

10/14/2014 04:44:23 am

what about raw asparagus? I have a dog that is always getting into the asparagus patch and eating it. Hasn't affected him at all.

Emily LaParle

2/8/2015 11:28:09 am

Thank you for all of this wonderful information! I've always been worried about what to feed my dog. She loves apple chunks and bananas. No problems so far! She is lively and so energetic!

Katrina

5/7/2015 06:33:07 am

Lily my chihuahua mix eat a tiny bit of sweet potatoes which I cook in microwave to eat for myself but set a side some for her. Mashed without the skin with a tiny say a teaspoon of ground cinnamon. But her favorite is carrots. Unlike corn which really does go through them the same way, but not raw carrots she eat enough her poop comes out mostly orange lol my little rabbit ♡I made set potato fries and she went ape over them lol. Next to try bone broth have the makings now :)

reenie

5/7/2015 07:57:04 am

This is not so...we and other breeders have used raw for many years. No onions no grape products...a raw diet delivers a much much more healthy and long lived animal...usually diseases disappear quickly as well...including crystal problems in dals and cats...our large dogs said to have a life expectancy of approx 11years has turned into 18+...with health problems being non existant.

Mozart's mom

11/1/2013 02:11:42 pm

Is green peas ok for dogs?

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Janet

4/22/2015 01:50:52 pm

I give my little (4.4 lbs.) Chihuahua green peas, sliced carrots and green beans every day with her dry food. She loves it! I can just ask her if she wants some "veggies" and she comes running.

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Lea

11/11/2013 07:25:52 am

I often hear that dogs are not able to eat the seeds from a cucumber that you are supposed to cut out the seeded area before giving cucumber pieces to your dog because the seeds are not safe for them to eat.. is this true????

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reenie

5/7/2015 08:00:15 am

They eat cucumber seeds but if a field cucumber they may not get broken down...it won't hurt them though.

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Elsie

11/11/2013 08:42:38 am

How about frozen sweet peas or kernel corn? Are they safe vegetables to give?

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Vicky

9/27/2014 09:11:34 am

My GSD also loves peppers red, green, yellow she also can jot get enough

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lynne

9/28/2014 07:19:18 am

I dont think corn is so great for dogs, peas and carrots and other veggies are best pre- cooked and i mash them up or better yet puree in food processor, mine love pure pumpkin frozen in ice cube trays

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Elsie

10/6/2014 11:47:55 pm

Thanks for response Lynne. :)

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Jerry

10/21/2014 04:22:21 am

My dog can't get enough tomatoes, I give her some in moderation but are they good for her? She also likes the crunchy stem of lettuce!

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Katrina

5/7/2015 06:37:46 am

I've read a lot about good and bad foods for dogs. And tomatoes in any form has always been said to really bad for them.

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Marnie

5/7/2015 07:45:48 am

i recently found an article that says the fruit of the tomatoes is fine but the leaves and vines are toxic.

nikky

10/29/2014 01:14:53 am

I was always told broccoli was toxic to dogs.
I have two dogs and i want to make my own dog food can they eat lentils? One of mine has a sensitive tummy so im looking into a full compleate food i can make

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Cathy Tibbs

10/29/2014 12:06:37 pm

I puree Dakota's veggies, and was wondering if it would be okay for her to add cilantro. She always watches me when I cut it up for the 'people' meals!

You state cucumber frozen as a treat in summer but I understand that ice in any format (cubes slushy etc) should not be given to dogs as it can cause the stomach to spasm which could ultimately kill your dog hope this is helpful to you as the other info seems great

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Katrina

5/7/2015 06:42:56 am

Make as ice cream. Try part peanut butter , honey ( like a half a cup), and unsweetened apple sauce. My chihuahua loves it. Use the cups the apple sauce came in. Watch the amount u give them through lol easy to spoil them♡

We recently extended our family with a 9th old rescue Staffy/Bull arab x pup... is it ok to give him different types of bones every day? I'm slowing weening him onto a raw diet as commercial kibble gives him gas (really bad, clears the room, gas!!!!) But his file says not to give him bones daily as it causes constipation... Being in the wild dogs eat bones daily... so I'm a little confused on this... I'm starting to introduce new veggies to him & discovering his likes & dislikes. I love your blog as it's showing me my pup can eat like me (an athlete) very simply... & not from packages.

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Jim R

2/7/2015 06:19:37 am

Tami loves artichoke. Once she raided the trash for discards, she didn't know what to do with the leaves. They do chew veggies better. Meat is more of a quick gulp and gone.

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Joy

5/7/2015 08:16:19 am

I think any part of an artichoke would be dangerous. I tossed a few leaves in disposal and it tore into strings and would not break down..let alone the tiny needle like parts around the heart... just a thought :)

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Jan

2/7/2015 09:44:50 am

Is there anything in particular that can help raise a dog's blood ph? My dog has Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis (DRTA) and is on tons of MEDS daily and unsure if any foods help this?

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Samantha

2/7/2015 01:23:10 pm

I was just wondering what type of fruits are good for dogs?

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Shirley Conn

2/7/2015 07:49:25 pm

Can dogs have potatoes if cooked?

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Katrina

5/7/2015 06:53:59 am

Sweet potatoes! Cook them then peel the skin off the potatoes, add a very light layer of cinnamon on top and mix it good. But they are really good in softening the dog's poop so plan the next day outside

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reenie

5/7/2015 08:22:46 am

Yams are good raw and usually do not give a loose stool...they are many times a general added item to raw diets daily for beta carotein because of their low glycemic index...meaning carrots are good but loaded with sugar.

Kelly Green

2/8/2015 10:09:22 am

I was told NOT to give a dog celery as the strings can give them intestinal distress, is that false?

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reenie

5/7/2015 08:25:58 am

Give in one inch pieces so the strings are shorter or make little cuts through them or pull them off before you give it to your dog. Ours does well with either.

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Tammy

2/8/2015 04:41:35 pm

I am new to the site and have enjoyed all the great info.
We have 2 beautiful papillons aka The Girls, and we too have found that whole food is better than store bought.
I was paying a fortune for food and the chunks were too big. Our little Miette due to poor nutrition before we got her now has no dentition in the front upper and lower.

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Rene

3/6/2015 08:54:32 am

Whenever I cut up broccoli or snap asparagus spears for cooking, I save the broccoli trunks and the other half of the spears for my black lab. She loves any crunchy veggies to snack on. My yellow lab only takes the veggies, chews on them for a few minutes and then leaves all the crumbs on the floor. Gotta love em.

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Hi

3/6/2015 03:22:00 pm

my dog loves broccoli!

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Karen

4/22/2015 06:28:28 am

My dog loves almost every veggie, except celery. When I'm cutting them up for juicing, he is right there waiting for his chunk of radish, carrot, cuke, apple, romaine stalk, and anything else I'm tossing into the juicer. I also give him thin slices of sweet potato (raw) and broccoli or cauliflower stems.

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billie

4/22/2015 06:28:35 am

my 3 lb Yorkie loves cooked cabbage ! is it OK for her to eat ?

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billie

4/22/2015 06:29:58 am

reply here please

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reenie

5/7/2015 08:28:51 am

Yes cooked or raw...all of our dogs have loved it for years...their natural self craves raw and the enzymes in the raw veg.

Ann

4/22/2015 06:41:19 am

My older lab gets 1 cup of green beans with her kibble twice a day. She loves all veggies. Especially green, red and yellow peppers. I do fruit in moderation, usually only a bite of mine.

I place kale, broccoli, spinach, beans and other veggies on the list above into my food processor, wrap little parcels, freeze the portions and then defrost and add to my dogs dinner,

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Misty

4/22/2015 11:17:54 am

My dogs love raw veggies. They like kohli rabi, celery, broccoli, carrots turnips, rutabegas, cabbage, peas and lettuce. They also like a bite of banana once in awhile and love apples, oranges, tart and sweet cherries, and pink grapefruit.

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lori

4/22/2015 11:18:06 am

Can they have peas?

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Judy

4/22/2015 12:47:25 pm

My Vet said to limit the amount of carrots due to the high amount of natural sugar. Dogs can get Diabetes.

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paula

5/3/2015 03:16:27 am

my staffie's love radishes, never have seen anything to say they are good or bad, eats loads of them, they prefer the smaller ones. Bought them cause he loves anything round and they look great, healthy white teeth and shiny coat. Are they ok for them ??

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reenie

5/7/2015 11:24:49 pm

Yes definitely but in moderation...they love all vegies usually, you are not limited to radishes :)

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Sanna

5/7/2015 06:52:33 am

Are they okay to give to puppies too, or just adult dogs?

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reenie

5/7/2015 08:34:02 am

You should consider talking to a wholistic vet to get on the right track...their natural self will crave the raw veggies...you might get some really great info that will help a healthier longer life be accessible to your puppy...but it is important to do it right at that stage.

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Dinahmite

5/7/2015 01:03:56 pm

I feet our Maltese dogs frozen okra and frozen organic broccoli. They love it and so well behaved when I give them these frozen treat:)

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reenie

5/7/2015 11:37:46 pm

Kelsey :). There is no reply button on the question you sent about eggplant so I hope you find this reply...yes eggplant is fine cooked or raw in moderate amounts...if it is too much they will refuse it...it turns brown quickly so a small slice fresh to give them something to chew so they do not swallow in chunks. We have used this for about 30 years for our dogs. :)

My old Rough Collie is an ex kennel dog. She is starting to produce crystals in her urine. I am putting tomatoe purée on her dinner but would any Vegatables help ? She does not like any veg if offered on their own

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reenie

6/17/2015 07:34:03 pm

Hi Jenny :) all of our animals rescued or not switched to a raw diet easy...cats can be touchy just FYI for anyone reading...because their digestive system gets somewhat lazy and may not be able to handle raw food. Dogs usually switch easy. The industry does tricks to make even the most foul smelling food smell like the best so they may be turned on only by the commercial stuff at first. You can puree the veg and mix it in...if you go to a raw diet, they usually have the veg mixed in with bone ground in for calcium. Your dog would likely not notice it and eat it anyway. There can be other reasons, but many problems are caused by commercial food. Our vet gave us a list of the contents found easily in many commercial foods and anything from old shoes to euthanized pet carcasses with the flea collars left on and the dustpan full from the floor when cleaned goes into the vats...I also have a friend that worked in a dog food plant and it would truly freak most people out! Once a dog is stressed sometimes it can't handle it...a dogs life expectancy is more like 20-27+ yes but the treatment usually creates a consequence of more like 11-15...We took in a senior dog 11 yrs who was somewhat crippled with irreparable injuries, obese, bad teeth and so on and a Dalmatian on top (susceptible to crystals because their kidneys create proteins...other dogs and cats get the problem usually from food and other factors that make them unable to handle things better so imbalance is created.) We changed her to a raw diet with veg (they should have no more than 30% veg in their diet + crystals are similar to gout in humans so we fed chicken mostly and the occasional egg) added to what was mixed in and a kelp supplement baged for dogs by the pound...we also added 1/2 vitamin E capsule...she was like a new dog in 3 months and lived to be almost 19 with the spunk of a young dog. She did not like apple till we gave her ambrosia variety...that opened the door for others...sometimes they just need something to light the fire...we had another dog that did not like water so we did what you are doing and it worked but our vet told us to work at not doing that...but if your dog drinks water with no tomato it is probably not so bad...but tomatoes are good and all but they are pretty acidic so we just give one small piece as a treat...by changing to raw we rid a cat of crystals, a cat of kidney disease, the above story with age and obesity and more...read the comment I left on this site 5/7/2015 ... Many breeders and acquaintances have had nothing but good results with a natural diet...I calculated and found it tone the same and even cheaper in most cases. getting in touch with a wholistic vet can do wonders...they work with conventional vets and give a gentle nature's way approach...they also can get you in the direction of acupuncture which we found had immediate benefits for wellness and stress relief. If you want to consider real food, talk as well to the people who are creating it so you understand what is needed and you may find you want to make dinner for your dog yourself...even cooked is better than commercial...they need enzymes from the raw so at least veg and a few apples and berries etc... Be careful with cheese, 1oz is like a human cosuming 3candy bars at once...they do not metabolize food like we do...they really do not do well on grain...they would only get grain occasionally in the wild if the kill had some in its stomach which they tend to eat naturally 1st for the enzymes. The food we use is Mountain dog food you can phone from anywhere to ask questions or maybe for recommendation?...hoping something in this helps. :)

I have two 18 month old Autrian Sheppards / Border collie mixed Two beaties with great personalities. I have been feeding them 1 cup Costco Signiture food with a cooked egg for breackfast in the night half pound chicken breast with 8 to ten oz negtables cooked and pureed. My best guess, trying to learn to balance their needs with out dog food read a lot. Find your blog a good source of information. Thanks

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Consult with your veterinarian before applying any of the information contained within this website, its blog, or via consultations. K9 Instinct recommends involving your veterinarian in any plans to utilize the information provided by K9 Instinct, and cannot be held accountable for any damages incurred by the use or misuse of any information provided by K9 Instinct. The guidance of your veterinarian is strongly recommended!